Diamond Education

The 4 Cs of Diamonds

Diamond professionals use four important factors to describe and classify diamonds: Cut, Color, Clairity, and Carat Weight. For more information visit our store to speak with a qualified associate.

Cut

Of all the 4Cs, Cut has the greatest effect on a diamond’s beauty. In determining the quality of the cut, the diamond grader evaluates the cutter’s skill in the fashioning of the diamond. The more precise the cut, the more captivating the diamond is to the eye.

Color

Color Gem-quality diamonds occur in many hues. In the range from colorless to light yellow or light brown. Colorless diamonds are the rarest.

Other natural colors (blue, red, pink for example) are known as “fancy”, and their color grading is different than from white colorless diamonds.

Clarity

Diamonds can have internal characteristics known as inclusions or external characteristics known as blemishes. Diamonds without inclusions or blemishes are rare; however, most characteristics can only be seen with magnification.

Carat

The carat is the diamond’s physical weight measured in metric carats. One carat equals 1/5 gram and is subdivided into 100 points. Carat weight is the most objective grade of the 4Cs.

Trusted Jeweller since 1955, we are proud to be one of the first truly independent jewellery stores in Calgary. Renowned for one of the city’s largest collection of brand name watches, jewellery, loose diamonds and engagement rings